Deputy Minister Of Public Works Reviewing The Irrigation Of Food Estate Land In Central Kalimantan, Admits There Are Still Inundated Rice Fields

The irrigation conditions for food estate land located in Form Jaya A5 Village, Badminton District, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Public Works)

Deputy Minister of Umun Work (PU) Diana Kusumastuti reviewed the irrigation conditions for food estate land located in Form Jaya A5 Village, Badminton District, Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan Province (Kalteng) on Monday, November 11.

During the review, Diana observed the irrigation and irrigation conditions that had been used by farmers at the food barn location.

He admitted that there were still rice fields inundated with water, thus hampering the planting process.

"Because this is a swampy area, so we have to release water on rice fields first, then we can spread seeds and plant them," Diana said as quoted from her written statement, Tuesday, November 12.

Diana assessed that the food estate in Badminton has basically been working on it for a long time.

In line with that, the process of regulating the rice fields irrigation system is trying to be perfected.

According to Diana, this food estate is a collaboration between the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan).

So that in the process it must be carried out in a synergistic manner, it cannot run alone.

"We have identified which lands can accelerate the printing of rice fields and planting," he continued.

Nevertheless, said Diana, his party is trying to provide a solution to the rice fields that are still flooded with water.

"The excessive water needs to be issued so as not to interfere with the planting process. Moreover, during the rainy season it arrives as it is today," said Diana.

Meanwhile, the Director of Land Protection and Provision of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) Atekan explained, of the 21,226 hectares (ha) of the land currently available, around 16,000 ha are being sought so that it can be immediately used for rice fields.

"Hopefully, the fields that we have opened can be optimized, especially by the local community in order to maintain or increase rice production for national food security," he said.